Not All Salt (Or Sodium) Is Created Equal
Looking to shake up your salt knowledge? You've come to the right place!
Ever stood in the supermarket aisle, staring at the dozens of salt options and wondered what the heck is the difference? Table salt, sea salt, pink stuff, flaky stuff...
Here's the thing - not all salt is the same. Each variety has its own origin story, its own personality. Some come from mines, others from the sea, some are cute and pink, and some do their bit for your health.
SO WHAT ARE THE CHOICES?
Before we dive into the salty details, remember this: your body needs sodium, but most of us are getting way too friendly with it. The average person consumes about 9-12g of salt daily when we should be aiming for 6g or less.
So let's get to know these crystalline characters a bit better. From regular table salt to fancy finishing flakes, here's your guide to navigating the world of salt…
| Type | Source | Processing | Kitchen Mission | The Good Stuff | The Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table Salt | Mines (various) | Heavy | Everyday cooking | Cheap, widely available and dissolves quickly | Highly processed with a harsh flavour |
| Sea Salt | The Sea (various) | Medium | Everyday cooking | Natural flavour and richer in minerals | Can contain microplastics if sourced from polluted waters |
| Rock Salt | Mines (various) | Medium | Everyday cooking | Cheap, natural flavour and good in a grinder | No proven health benefits |
| Pink Salt | Mines (Pakistan) | Light | Decorative finishing | Attractive colour and rich in minerals | No proven health benefits |
| Fleur de Sel | Coastal sea beds | Light | Fine flavour finishing | Delicate texture, fine flavour and high mineral content | Often very expensive |
| Flake Salt | The sea (various) | Medium | Texture and finishing | Crunchy texture which feels nice in fingers | Uses lots of energy to produce and often contains microplastics |
| Low-Sodium Salt | Food factory | Heavy | Healthier everyday cooking | Helps reduce sodium intake | Chemically modified and tastes metallic |
| Pinchful Salt | Ancient sea beds (Chile) | Light | Healthier everyday cooking | Rich in minerals meaning 30% less sodium. Award-winning flavour and no microplastics | Slightly more expensive than table salt |
The takeaway? It's all about balance and being salt-smart.
All salts contain sodium, but as we've seen, not all salts are created equal when it comes to processing, mineral content, and health benefits.
If you're looking to make a change that your taste buds and heart will thank you for, a salt like Pinchful with 30% less sodium and a Great Taste award is a great option. Sure, it might cost a bit more than your standard table salt, but think of it as a small investment in you and your family's long-term health.
Remember, even small changes can make a big difference over time - especially when multiplied across a nation. If we all swapped just one teaspoon of regular salt for a lower-sodium alternative every day we could prevent thousands of heart attacks and hospital visits.
So whether you're shaking, grinding or pinching, be mindful of how much salt is landing on your plate.